Jaguars apps

The Jaguars are getting a jump start on their preparation for the NFL Draft.

The league announced Thursday that the coaching staffs of the Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons were selected to coach the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Practices and meetings take place Jan. 20-24, with the game on Jan. 25.

The Jaguars’ staff will coach the South squad, while the Falcons are in charge of the North team. Both teams were 4-12 this season, and will have access to many draft prospects that the other 30 franchises won’t.

Last year, 94 players who participated in the Senior Bowl were drafted, with 10 going in the first round.

The Jaguars have 10 picks in the 2014 Draft, with two selections in the fourth round and three in the fifth round.

“The advantage for us would be having our coaches go down there and work with 50-some players,” Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said. “Especially having extra four- and fifth-round picks, it could be valuable for us.”

Bradley voiced his excitement about the possibility during Tuesday’s season-ending news conference.

“I think it’s awesome,” Bradley said. “I think it’s a great opportunity. … It’s a great evaluation tool. It’s maybe better for us as coaches instead of sitting in our rooms watching tape over and over again. We can evaluate all aspects of the game. I don’t want to make a habit of it, but as long as we have this opportunity we need to take advantage of it.”

Bradley is familiar with coaching in the game. He was the linebackers coach under Jon Gruden when Tampa Bay’s staff coached the 2006 Senior Bowl.

“It’s a great opportunity to be around these players in a competitive environment and see how they work throughout the week,” Bradley said.

More than 90 players have already accepted invitations to play in the game. Rosters won’t be finalized until the week prior to practice starting.

Five quarterbacks have agreed to play in the game. They are Fresno State’s Derek Carr, Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, San Jose State’s David Fales, Miami’s Stephen Morris and Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas.

The Senior Bowl also features many top-tier prospects on the interior offensive line, a position the Jaguars could address multiple times in the middle and later rounds.

The Jaguars also have two assistants, running backs coach Terry Richardson and tight ends coach Ron Middleton, who will coach in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 18 in St. Petersburg.